GB2516165A

GB2516165A - Improvements in and relating to boxes

Info

Publication number: GB2516165A
Application number: GB1409388.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Chris Hallam
Original assignee: Concept Packaging Services Ltd
Current assignee: Concept Packaging Services Ltd
Priority date: 2013-05-24
Filing date: 2014-05-27
Publication date: 2015-01-14
Also published as: GB201409388D0

Abstract

A box has a base 4, side walls 6, 12-18 and a lid 8; the lid is designed to engage a bottle neck. Various types of carton blanks could be used to form such a structure. The side walls could be formed as a tube with the lid and base each folding in from one of them. Two opposite side walls could be each connected to the base and the other side walls and the lid fold in from one. Alternatively the box can be formed as a tubular blank with a lid and base each attached to multiple side walls without any bottle engagement.

Description

Improvements in and Relating to Boxes

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to boxes and to methods of packaging a bottle.

Background to the Invention

Boxes for bottles present particular difficulties, especially boxes for bottles intended for use in a retail environment where the bottle (with contents) is a relatively high value item. In this case the bottle is often security tagged, with the tag being secured around the neck of the bottle in such a way that it cannot be removed without a special tool that is not available to the general public. However, this requires the box to be opened upon delivery to e.g. a supermarket, for a security tag to be filled and the box to be closed. At the point of sale, the box needs to be opened, the security tag has to be removed and the box has to be re-closed. Usually the bottle has to be taken out of and replaced back into the box each time.

This means there is a lot of handling of the box which is time-consuming and can cause damage. Furthermore, it makes the fitting of tamper evident seals on to the box impractical.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention aim to provide a box that obviates or overcomes a problem with the prior art, whether referred to herein or otherwise.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention in a first aspect, there is provided a box comprising a base, a side wall structure and a lid to at least partly close the box, wherein the lid comprises at least one bottle neck engaging portion configured to engage the neck of a bottle when present in the box.

Suitably, the box comprises a first wall structure and a second wall structure, the first and second wall structures being movable to at least partly close the box to be capable of at least partly containing a bottle therein.

Suitably, the bottle neck engaging portion comprises a first part of the box movable relative to a second part of the box to engage with a bottle neck.

Suitably, the bottle neck engaging portion comprises the first wall structure moving relative to the second wall structure.

Suitably, the first and second wall structures comprise a clam shell arrangement for partly closing the box.

Suitably, the neck engaging portion comprises a first neck capturing portion on the first wall structure and a second neck capturing portion on the second wall structure. Suitably, the first neck capturing portion comprises an opening for receiving the neck of a bottle. Suitably, the second neck capturing portion comprises an opening for receiving the neck of a bottle.

Suitably, the neck engaging portion is configured to capture the bottle neck between the first and second neck capturing portions as the box is closed.

Alternatively, the box comprises a lid portion with a hole therethrough for the neck of a bottle to pass through. Suitably, the bottle neck engaging portion comprises a bottle neck support fitment configured to engage with a bottle neck in the box. Suitably, the bottle neck support fitment is configured to engage with the lid portion and a bottle neck. Suitably, the bottle neck support fitment comprises an opening for receiving a bottle neck. Suitably, the bottle neck support fitment comprises a flap hingedly connected to the panel with the opening, wherein the bottle neck support litment is configured to be an interference fit in the lid portion of the box.

Suitably, the box comprises a base portion and first wall structure is hingedly connected to the base portion.

Suitably, the box comprises a base portion and the second wall structure is hingedly connected to the base portion.

Suitably, the bottle neck is secured from two opposite directions.

Suitably, the box is constructed according to the second aspect of the present invention.

According to the present invention in a second aspect, there is provided a box comprising a base portion hingedly connected to a first side wall, which first side wall is laterally hingedly connected to a second side wall, which first side wall is also hingedly connected to a third side wall, which third side wall is hingedly connected to a fourth side wall, which fourth side wall is hingedly connected to a fifth side wall, which fifth side wall is hingedly connected to a flap portion, which first side wall is hingedly connected to a lid portion, which lid portion is by a first web construction to the second side wall and by a second web construction to the third side wall, wherein the base portion is connected by a third web construction to the second side wall and by a fourth web construction to the third side wall; and wherein the box comprises securement means to secure the box shut; the fifth side wall lies inside the second side wall and the flap portion lies inside the box.

Suitably, the box further comprises one or more flaps folded over to cover otherwise raw edges.

Suitably, the securement means comprises at least one tongue and slot arrangement.

Suitably, at least one tongue extends from the fifth side wall to fit into a corresponding at least one slot between the first side wall and the second side wall.

Suitably, the fifth side wall lies in face to face relationship with the second side wall.

Suitably, the flap portion lies in face to face relationship with the first side wall.

The present invention extends to the box referred to according to the first or second aspect of the invention in combination with a bottle.

According to the present invention in a third aspect, there is provided a method of packaging of a bottle, the method comprising providing a bottle and packaging the bottle into a box according to the first or second aspect of the invention.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the drawings that follow, in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of a blank for producing a box according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the blank of Figure 1 in a partly made-up state.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the blank of Figure 1 in a further near made-up state with a bottle.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the box made up from the blank of Figure 1 with a bottle.

Figure 5 is a plan view of a blank for producing a box according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 6 is a plan view of the blank of FigureS in a partly made-up state with a bottle.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of the box made up from the blank of Figure 5 with a bottle.

Figure 8 is a plan view of a blank for constructing a box according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 9 is a plan view of a blank for constructing a box according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 10 is a perspective view of a box made up from the blank of Figure 9.

Figure 11 is a plan view of a blank for producing a box according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 12 is a perspective view of the blank of Figure 11 in a near made-up state.

Figure 13 is a perspective view of the blank of Figure 11 in a made-up state.

Figure 14 is a plan view of a blank according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 15 is a perspective biew of the blank of Figure 14 is a made-up state.

DescriQtion of the Preferred Embodiments

Referring to Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings, there is shown a blank 2 for producing a box according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The blank 2 will typically be constructed from carton board.

The blank 2 comprises a base portion 4, hingedly connected to a first side wall 6, which is hingedly connected to a lid portion 8, incorporating an opening defining a bottle neck hole 10.

Extending also from the first side wall 6 are a second side wall 12 and a third side wall 14 of corresponding shape and size to the second side wall 12. Between the first side wall 6 and the second side wall 12 are two cut out slits iSa, lSb. Extending from third side wall 14 is a fourth side wall 16 of corresponding shape and size to the first side wall 6. Extending from fourth side wall 16 is a fifth side wall 18 of corresponding shape and size to the second side wall 12. Extending from fifth side wall 18 is a flap portion 20 from which are cut out tongues 22a and 22b.

Further flaps indicated each by reference numeral 24 are provided to be folded over to cover what would otherwise be raw edges of the box construction.

Extending from the lid portion 8 to the second side wall 12 is a web construction 26 consisting of two generally triangular panels 28, 30 hingedly connected together. Triangular panel 28 is hingedly connected to second wall panel 12. Triangular panel 30 is hingedly connected to lid portion 8. A similar web construction 32 is provided between the base portion 4 and the second wall panel 12.

Somewhat similar web constructions are provided at 34 and 36 between the lid portion 8 and third wall panel 14, and between the base portion 4 and the third wall panel 14. In this case one of the panels is triangularwhile the other is wedge shaped.

A common feature of the web constructions is that the respective panels are connected by a hinge line at 45° to the hinge lines connecting the adjacent panels.

Also shown in Figure 1 is a bottle neck support fitment 38 comprising a support panel 40 which is hingedly connected to a flap 42. The support panel defines an open ended bottle neck opening 44.

A method of construction of a box according to a first embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to Figures 2 -4.

Flap portion 20 and flaps 24 are folded over onto their respective side walls and glued to the side walls. For each web construction 26, 32, 34, 36 one of the panels is glued to an adjacent side wall. The other panel is left unglued. Tongues 22a and 22b become free at this point.

This is the state of making up shown in Figure 2 of the accompanying drawings. The partly constructed box can be transported fiat in this configuration.

To make up the box, second 12 and third 14 side walls are drawn upright. The web constructions move simultaneously to draw up the base portion 4 and lid portion 8. Plainly, the base portion 4 and lid portion 8 can be drawn up to lift the second side wall 12 and third side wall 14.

A bottle with a neck (e.g. a wine bottle, a whiskey bottle, a perfume bottle) is then inserted with the body of the bottle in the open box with the top of the bottle being inserted through the bottle neck hole 10 so that the neck of the bottle is protruding through the bottle neck hole 10.

The bottle neck hole is oversize to permit the neck to be easily inserted and to accommodate a variety of bottle shapes.

Bottle neck support fitment 38 is then inserted inside the box in face to face relationship with the lid portion 8 with the opening 44 being presented to the bottle neck. The fitment 38 engages with the neck of the bottle to secure it in place. The flap 42 is folded at 900 to the support panel 40 and the flap 42 lies in face to face relationship with flap to cover a raw edge 24 hingedly connected to lid portion 8 and is dimensioned to be an interference fit in lid portion 8.

This is the configuration shown in Figure 3 of the accompanying drawings.

Fourth side wall 16 is then folded over to close the box. Fifth side wall 18 is folded over to overlap second side wall 12 and tongues 22a, 22b are inserted in aligned slits 15a, 15b, together acting as securement means, to secure the box shut. This is the configuration shown in Figure 4 of the accompanying drawings.

The first wall structure for closing the box is the first, second and third side walls 6, 12, 14 with the second wall structure for closing the box in this case being the fourth and fifth side walls 16,18.

Accordingly there is provided a box construction which is easy to make up, is strong, is aesthetically pleasing and which enables the bottle neck to protrude through an opening thereof, in this case the bottle neck hole 10. A security tag can there fore be fitted to the neck of the bottle without the need for the bottle to be removed from the box. This means that tamper evident seals (or other tamper evident devices) can be applied to the box.

Referring to Figure 5 of the accompanying drawings there is shown a blank 102 for constructing a box according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The blank 102 will typically be constructed from carton board.

The blank 102 comprises a base portion 104 from which extend a first side wall 106 and a second side wall 108, both hingedly connected to the base portion 104.

From first side wall 106 extend laterally a first alignment panel 110 and a second alignment panel 112, which panels are hingedly connected to first side wall 106.

Also extending from first side wall 106 is a first bottle neck capturing portion 114 from which extend laterally wings 116, 118.

Extending laterally from base portion 104 are engagement panels 120, 122.

Extending laterally from second side wall 108 are third 124 and fourth 126 side walls.

Extending from third side wall 124 is internal side wall panel 128. Extending from fourth side wall panel 126 is another internal side wall panel 130.

Extending from internal side wall panel 128 is locking panel 132. Extending from internal side wall panel 130 is locking panel 134.

Also hingedly connected to second side wall 108 is a second bottle neck capturing portion 136.

Each bottle neck capturing portion 114, 136 comprises an opening for receiving a bottle neck.

Extending laterally from bottle neck capturing portion 136 are engagement panels.

A method of construction of a box according to a second embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to Figures 5 -7.

A first wall structure is assembled by folding in engagement panels 120, 122, 138, 140 to abut second side wall 108.

Next, internal side wall panels 128, 130 are folded over to trap in place engagement panels 120, 122, 138, 140. Then locking panels 132, 134 are pushed down so that there raw edged ends abut each other. This locks the first wall structure in place.

The first side wall 106, first alignment panel 110, second alignment panel 112, first bottle neck capturing portion 113 and wings 116, 118 form the second wall structure.

A bottle is placed in the partly formed box with the neck of the bottle protruding through the bottle neck capturing portion 114. This is the configuration shown in Figure 6 of the accompanying drawings.

Then second wall structure is folded into place with the first and second alignment panels 110, 112 fitting inside the internal side wall panels 128, 130, respectively and wings 116, 118 being inserted at the bottle neck capturing portion 114, between that and the third side wall 124 on one side and the other wing between the bottle neck capturing portion 114 and the fourth side wall 126 on the other. This secures the box together and brings the first and second neck capturing portions 114, 136 together to engage with the bottle neck. This is the configuration shown in Figure 7 of the accompanying drawings.

The first wall structure and the second wall structure form a clam shell arrangement for closing the box and for engaging the bottle neck.

It is noted that the construction of the second embodiment shares advantages with the first embodiment but additionally is a one piece construction that does not require gluing.

Referring to Figure 8 of the accompanying drawings, there is shown a blank 202 for constructing a box according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

As will be apparent to a person skilled in the art, the blank of Figure 8 corresponds essentially to that of Figure 5, except that instead of locking panels 1 32, 134, there are provided snap-fit panels 204, 206 to fit corresponding slits 208, 210, 212, 214.

Referring to Figure 9 of the accompanying drawings, there is shown a blank 302 for constructing a box according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. The blank 302 will typically be constructed from carton board.

As will be apparent from Figure 9, the blank 302 is identical to the blank 2 except that there is no bottle neck hole and the bottle neck support fitment is not present. This is a box without a hole for a bottle neck to project through that has the advantages of being able to be folded fiat for transport and easily made up to form a strong box.

The blank 302 comprises a base portion 304, hingedly connected to a first side wall 306, which is hingedly connected to a lid portion 306. Extending also from the first side wall 306 are a second side wall 312 and a third side wall 314 of corresponding shape and size to the second side wall 312. Between the first side wall 306 and the second side wall 312 are two cut out slits 15a, 15b. Extending from third side wall 314 is a fourth side wall 316 of corresponding shape and size to the first side wall 306. Extending from fourth side wall 316 is a fifth side wall 318 of corresponding shape and size to the second side wall 312. Extending from fifth side wall 318 is a flap portion 320 from which are cut out tongues 322a and 322b.

Further flaps indicated each by reference numeral 324 are provided to be folded over to cover what would otherwise be raw edges of the box construction.

Extending from the lid portion 308 to the second side wall 312 is a web construction 326 consisting of two generally triangular panels 328, 330 hingedly connected together. Triangular panel 328 is hingedly connected to second wall panel 312. Triangular panel 330 is hingedly connected to lid portion 308. A similar web construction 332 is provided between the base portion 304 and the second wall panel 312.

Somewhat similar web constructions are provided at 334 and 336 between the lid portion 308 and third wall panel 314, and between the base portion 304 and the third wall panel 314. In this case one of the panels is triangular while the other is wedge shaped.

The method of construction of the box of the blank shown in Figure 9 is essentially similar to that of the blank shown in Figure 1 except that there is no bottle neck hole 10 or fitment 38.

The blank constructs to a closed box with no holes.

A made up box from the blank of Figure 9 is shown in Figure 10 of the accompanying drawings.

Referring to Figure 11 of the accompanying drawings, there is shown a blank 400 comprising base sections 402, 404, 406, 408 to form a crash lock base, side wall panels 410, 412, 414, 416 and a marginal gluing flange 418. Additionally blank 400 comprises lid portions 420, 422, 424, 426. Lid portions 422 and 426 are configured to fold inside the made-up box and can be glued for extra strength. Lid portions 420 and 424 comprise U-shaped cut-out portions 428, 430, respectively. Lid portions 420 and 424 are configured to fold down to form a lid and for the U-shaped cut out portions 428, 430 to engage with and trap the neck of a bottle as shown in Figures 12 and 13 of the accompanying drawings.

Referring to Figure 14 of the accompanying drawings there is shown a blank 500 comprising base sections 502, 504, 506, 508 to form a crash lock base, side wall panels 510, 512, 514, 516 and an internal side wall 418. Additionally blank 500 comprises lid portions 520, 522, 524, 526, 528. Lid portions 520, 522, 524, 526, 528 are configured to form a shrouded lid (see Figure 15 of the accompanying drawings), with lid portions 522 and 526 being offset, and lid portion 528 acting as a bridging panel to fold lid portion 522 into approximate horizontal alignment with lid portion 526. Lid portions 520 and 524 comprise U-shaped cut-out portions 530, 532, respectively. Lid portions 520 and 524 are configured to fold down to form a lid and for the U-shaped cut out portions 530, 532 to engage with and trap the neck of a bottle as shown in Figure 15.

Lid portions 422 and 426 are configured to fold inside the made-up box. Lid portions 420 and 424 comprise U-shaped cut-out portions 428, 430, respectively. Lid portions 420 and 424 are configured to fold down to form a lid and for the U-shaped cut out portions 428, 430 to engage with and trap the neck of a bottle as shown in Figures 12 and 13 of the accompanying drawings.

In each embodiment of the present invention a bottle neck engaging portion to engage a bottle neck, when present, to trap and/or hold the bottle neck in position.

Accordingly there is provided a box construction which is easy to make up, is strong and is aesthetically pleasing.

Attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), orto any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. A box comprising a base, a side wall structure and a lid to at least partly close the box, wherein the lid comprises at least one bottle neck engaging portion configured to engage the neck of a bottle when present in the box.
2. A box according to claim 1, wherein the box comprises a first wall structure and a second wall structure, the first and second wall structures being movable to at least partly close the box to be capable of at least partly containing a bottle therein.
3. A box according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the bottle neck engaging portion comprises a first part of the box movable relative to a second part of the box to engage with a bottle neck.
4. A box according to claim 2, wherein the bottle neck engaging portion comprises the first wall structure moving relative to the second wall structure.
5. A box according to claim 2, wherein the first and second wall structures comprise a clam shell arrangement for partly closing the box.
6. A box according to claim 2, wherein the neck engaging portion comprises a first neck capturing portion on the first wall structure and a second neck capturing portion on the second wall structure.
7. A box according to claim 6, wherein the first neck capturing portion comprises an opening for receiving the neck of a bottle.
8. A box according to claim 6 or claim 7, wherein the second neck capturing portion comprises an opening for receiving the neck of a bottle.
9. A box according to any one of claims 6-8, wherein the neck engaging portion is configured to capture the bottle neck between the first and second neck capturing portions as the box is closed.
10. A box according to claim 1, wherein the box comprises a lid portion with a hole therethrough for the neck of a bottle to pass through.
11. A box according to claim 10, wherein the bottle neck engaging portion comprises a bottle neck support fitment configured to engage with a bottle neck in the box.
12. A box according to claim 11, wherein the bottle neck support fitment is configured to engage with the lid portion and a bottle neck.
13. A box according to claims 11 or claim 12, wherein the bottle neck support fitment comprises an opening for receiving a bottle neck.
14. A box according to any one of claims 11-13, wherein the bottle neck support fitment comprises a flap hingedly connected to the panel with the opening, wherein the bottle neck support fitment is configured to be an interference fit in the lid portion of the box.
15. A box according to claim 2, wherein the box comprises a base portion and first wall structure is hingedly connected to the base portion.
16. A box according to claim 2, wherein the box comprises a base portion and the second wall structure is hingedly connected to the base portion.
17. A box according to claim 1, wherein the bottle neck is secured from two opposite directions.
18. A box wherein the box is constructed according to any one of claims 19-24.
19. A box comprising a base portion hingedly connected to a first side wall, which first side wall is laterally hingedly connected to a second side wall, which first side wall is also hingedly connected to a third side wall, which third side wall is hingedly connected to a fourth side wall, which fourth side wall is hingedly connected to a fifth side wall, which fifth side wall is hingedly connected to a flap portion, which first side wall is hingedly connected to a lid portion, which lid portion is by a first web construction to the second side wall and by a second web construction to the third side wall, wherein the base portion is connected by a third web construction to the second side wall and by a fourth web construction to the third side wall; and wherein the box comprises securement means to secure the box shut; the fifth side wall lies inside the second side wall and the flap portion lies inside the box.
20. A box according to claim 19, wherein the box further comprises one or more flaps folded over to cover otherwise raw edges.
21. A box according to claim 19 or 20, wherein the securement means comprises at least one tongue and slot arrangement.
22. A box according to claim 21, wherein at least one tongue extends from the fifth side wall to fit into a corresponding at least one slot between the first side wall and the second side wall.
23. A box according to claim 21 or claim 22, wherein the fifth side wall lies in face to face relationship with the second side wall.
24. A box according to any one of claims 19-23, wherein the flap portion lies in face to face relationship with the first side wall.
25. A method of packaging of a bottle, the method comprising providing a bottle and packaging the bottle into a box according to any one of claims 1-18.
26. A method of packaging a bottle, the method comprising providing a bottle and packaging the bottle into a box according to any one of claims 19-24.
27. A box substantially as described herein, with reference to the accompanying drawings.